Self-aligning precast window frame



1962 M. LETOWSKY SELF-ALIGNING PRECAST WINDOW FRAME Filed Oct. 21. 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 R. m rm k E W a m m m 3 M. W U 4 m @w 2 4 M w m. F

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m. W m 3 a W M 7 M Q M w United States Patent ()fifice 3,057,118 Patented Oct. 9, 1962 3,057,118 SELF-ALIGNING PRECAST WINDOW FRAME Manuel Letowslry, Miami, Fla. (1223 Stahlman Eldg, Nashville, Tenn.) Filed st. 21, 1957, Ser. No. 691,497 4 Claims. ((11. 50-121) This invention relates to window frame construction and more particularly to a self-plumbing, self-locking and self-aligning precast concrete window frame.

The primary object of the present invention resides in the provision of a window frame cast in several parts so as to enable the easy manipulation of the various parts for installing the window frame in a building being erected, yet which is adapted to be self-plumbing and selfaligning while interlocking itself with the various parts thereof so as to enable the window frame to be con veniently installed at a relatively low cost.

The concept of this invention lies in the provision of means for interlocking the sides of a window frame with the sill and header in such manner that the sides will automatically become plumb with the sill and the header placed on the sides will automatically align itself. The sides are provided with means forming concavities transversely in the outer surface thereof together with serrated surfaces whereby stucco when placed on the concrete will bond with the concrete and whereby when the window frame is mortared into place it will securely interlock with concrete blocks or other similar type construction being employed.

Still further objects and features of this invention reside in the provision of a precast concrete window frame that is simple in construction, easy to erect, yet which is inexpensive to manufacture and install. These, together with the various ancillary objects and features of the invention which will become apparent as the following description proceeds, are attained by this precast concrete window frame, preferred embodiments of which have been illustrated in the accompanying drawings, by way of example only, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective View of one form of window frame constructed in accordance with the concepts of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged horizontal sectional detail view as taken along the plane of line 2--2 in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a vertical sectional view as taken along the plane of line 33 in FIGURE 1 illustrating the window frame in an enlarged scale;

FIGURE 4 is a partial perspective view of a modification of the invention;

FIGURE 5 is a sectional detail view as taken along the plane of line 55 in FIGURE 4 partially indicating the construction of the modified form of the invention;

FIGURE 6 is a sectional detail view as taken along the plane of line 66 in FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 7 is a partial exploded perspective view of the modified form of the invention; and

FIGURE 8 is a partial exploded perspective view illustrating the manner of assembly of the side on a sill in accordance with the invention.

With continuing reference to the accompanying drawin gs wherein like reference numerals designate similar parts throughout the various views, reference numeral 10 is used to generally designate the precast concrete window frame comprising the present invention. The frame 10 includes generally a sill 12, sides 14 and 16, and a header 18. The sill, sides and header are provided with an inner peripheral longitudinally extending ridge as to 2G for the purpose of seating the sash and which also functions to provide an interlocking arrangement for the sill with the sides and header. As shown, that portion of the ridge 20 on the sill and header terminates short of the ends of the sill and header and abuts the inward vertical surfaces of the ridge portions on the sides 14 and 16.

The precast concrete window frame 10 is adapted to be installed in a building being constructed of concrete aggregate or cement blocks, or the like and therefore the sides 14 and 16 are provided with recesses as are indicated at 22 and 24 therein, see FIGURE 2. In addition to the recesses 22 and 24 the sides are provided with rows of serrations as at 26, 28, 30 and 32 which rows of serrations or saw teeth communicate with the front and back edges of the sides and provide an interlock for mortar or stucco if such is placed on the window frame inasmuch as it is often very difficult to adhere stucco to smooth concrete surfaces while the serrations will assure that a good bond is obtained.

It is to be noted that pairs of reinforcing rods 40, 42 and 44, 46 are embedded in the sides 14 and 16 and extend beyond the sides upwardly and below thereof and are adapted to extend into apertures arranged in pairs and as indicated at 50 in FIGURE 8 and into holes that are indicated at 52, see FIGURE 1, the apertures 50 being formed in the sill 12 while the holes 52 are formed in the header 18. These rods serve further to interlock the entire assembly and coact in conjunction with the peripheral mutually interlocking ridge 20. Thus, the sides 14 and 16 interlock with the sill 20 by the rods 40, 42 and 44, 46 extending into the apertures 50 and with the irregularly contoured ridge portion 20 of the sill 12 interlockingly engaging the ridge portions on the sides. Likewise, the header is interlocked with the sides.

In the erection of this invention, the sill is first mortared into place in a horizontal position in a building construction and then the two sides are erected in vertical position with the reinforcing rods fitting into the apertures 50 in the sill. The header is then placed on top of the side legs in a horizontal position so that the protruding ends of the reinforcing rods fit into the holes 52 in the header. The frame has now automatically plumbed and locked itself into position.

When a tie beam is poured the liquid concrete will flow into the concave spaces formed by the recesses 22 and 24 between the window frame and abutting concrete or cement blocks.

The locking and plumbing arrangement of the invention may be modified so as to cover the protruding steel rods with rectangular blocks as indicated at formed of concrete and preferably integrally formed with the sides as at 92. The reinforcing rods 94 extend up in the blocks 90 not only strengthening the blocks 90 but the blocks 90 serve to protect the ends of the reinforcing rods against being bent during transportation and during other periods. The blocks as at 90 will fit into rectangular apertures in the sill and into rectangular holes as at 96 in the header 98.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A precast concrete window frame comprising a sill having apertures therethrough, side legs having reinforcing rods embedded therein, said side legs being positioned on said sill adjacent the ends of said sill with said reinforcing rods extending into said apertures, and a header having a plurality of holes therethrou'gh, said header being positioned on said legs with said reinforcing rods extending into said holes, said side legs having blocks integrally formed therewith on the top and bottom surfaces thereof, said blocks extending into said apertures and said holes, said side legs, said sill and said header having a continuous mutually interlocking ridge on the medial inner surfaces thereof.

2. A precast concrete window frame comprising a sill having apertures therethrough, side legs having reinforcing rods embedded therein, said side legs being positioned on said sill adjacent the ends of said sill with said reinforcing rods extending into said apertures, and a header having a plurality of holds therethrough, said header being positioned on said legs with said reinforcing rods extending into said holes, said side legs having blocks integrally formed therewith on the top and bottom surfaces thereof, said blocks extending into said apertures and said holes, the outer surfaces of said side legs having recesses therein forming concavities, at least parts of the outer surfaces of said side legs being serrated.

3. A precast concrete window frame comprising a sill having apertures therethrough, side legs having reinforcing rods embedded therein, said side legs being positioned on said sill adjacent the ends of the sill with said reinforcing rods extending into said apertures, and a header having a plurality of holes therethrough, said header being positioned on said legs with said reinforcing rods extending into said holes, said legs having blocks integrally formed therewith on the top and bottom surfaces thereof, said blocks extending into said apertures and said holes, the outer surface of said side legs having longitudinal recesses therein, at least parts of the outer surfaces of said side legs being serrated, said side legs, sill and header having a continuous medial interlocking ridge on the inner surfaces thereof, said recesses and serrations forming interlock means for mortar.

4. A structure as recited in claim 3 wherein the longitudinal recesses having sloping side walls to facilitate the flow of mortar therein.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 914,590 Magdiel Mar. 9, 1909 1,229,293 Klingensmith June 12, 1917 1,677,907 Smith July 24, 1928 FOREIGN PATENTS 168,226 Great Britain 1921 104,492 Switzerland Apr. 16, 1924 613,802 France Ian. 25, 1930 456,156 Great Britain 1936 743,312 Germany Dec. 22, 1943 111,556 Sweden Aug. 22, 1944 635,117 Great Britain Apr. 5, 1950 807,027 Germany June 25, 1951 1,046,304 France July 8, 1953 495,963 Italy Aug. 24, 1954 

